Buddhism 101

THE THREE TREASURES / THREE JEWELS OF REFUGE
(1). The Buddha (enlightened being)
(2). The Dharma (Buddhist teachings)
(3). The Sangha (community of all beings)

THE FOUE NOBLE TRUTHS
(1). Suffering is everywhere
(2). Suffering has a cause and an effect
(3). There is freedom from suffering
(4). Freedom is the Eightfold Path

THE FOUR VOWS:
These vows are recited every morning and evening by good Buddhists, especially Zen monks.
(1). I vow to save all sentient beings
(2). I vow to abandon avarice, hatred, and ignorance
(3). I vow to study the sacred teachings
(4). I vow to follow the way of the Buddha

THE EIGHTFOLD PATH
(1). Right understanding or Right view
(2). Right thought or Right intention
(3). Right speech
(4). Right action
(5). Right livelihood
(6). Right effort
(7). Right attention or Right mindfulness
(. Right concentration

THE TEN NON-VIRTUOUS ACTIONS :
A. Door number one/actions of your body :
(1). Not to kill
(2). Not to steal
(3). Not to misuse sex
B. Door number two/actions of your speech
(4). Not to lie
(5). Not to discuss the others faults & errors/divisive speech
Do not elevate yourself and blame others or praising self & degrading others/divisive speech
(6). Harsh speech
(7). Idle gossip
C. Door number thee/actions of your mind
(. Coveting what belongs to others
(9). Ill will
(10). Wrong views
OTHERS :
Do not use intoxicants
Not to spare the teachings
Not to indulge in anger
Not to malign the Three Treasures/Three Jewels of Refuge (Buddha, dharma, sangha).
Do not be stingy

lightsun wrote:

THE TEN GRAVE PRECEPTS
(1). Not to kill
(2). Not to steal
(3). Not to misuse sex
(4). Not to lie
(5). Not to take drugs
(6). Not to discuss the faults of others
(7). Not to praise oneself while degrading others
(. Not to spare the teachings
(9). Not to indulge in anger
(10). Not to malign the Three Treasures

lightsun! this is little buddha......................

You found Buddha!

lightsun wrote:

You found Buddha!

not only me
not only him

Perfection is the commonly accepted translation of the original Sanskrit term paramita, which
literally means to carry across. The poetic image suggested here is a vast ocean of suffering, on
the other side of which lies the far shore of enlightenment. By relying on these six (up to 11)
practices, or perfections, the compassionate bodhisattva can ferry beings across-including herself!
The bodhisattva path is a union of compassion and insightful wisdom into the true nature of
reality
(1). Generosity (giving)
(2). Ethical behavior or moral discipline
(3). Patience
(4). Effort,energy
(5). Meditative concentration
(6). Wisdom
OTHERS :
Renunciation
Truthfulness
Resolve
Equanimity
Loving-kindness
Another view is you need merely awaken to and express your Buddha (or Christ) nature (also
known as true self or the nature of the mind). When you do so, the perfections naturally flower
by themselves).

THE THREE WISDOMS AS THE FOUNDATION FOR INSIGHT :
(1). The wisdom gained from listening
(2). The wisdom gained from reflection
(3). The wisdom gained from meditation

ITHE 10 STAGES OF ENLIGHTENMENT :
(1). Seeking the ox : You seek true satisfaction in life but can't find it in-career, relationships, family, material
world. You haven't been introduced to the possibility of awakening to your True nature, you don't really know
where to look.
(2). Finding the tracks : You've been introduce to the teachings of Zen. You're on the trail through the practice
of meditation.
(3). Glimpsing the ox :You have your first direct insight, or kensho. Now you know that the ox or true nature
is everywhere and expresses itself as everything. But, this realization quickly slips into the background.
(4). Catching the ox : You're aware of your True nature in every moment and situation. You're never apart
from it, even for an instant. But, your mind continues to be turbulent and unruly, and you need to concentrate
to keep from getting distracted.
(5). Taming the ox :Finally, the mind settles down as every trace of doubt disappears. You're so firmly established
in your experience of True nature that even thoughts no longer distract you.
(6). Riding the ox : Now you and your True nature are in total harmony. You no longer have to resist temptation
or distraction.
(7). Forgetting the ox : You and the ox or True nature are one. You meet life as it unfolds.
(. Forgetting both self and the ox-an empty circle : The last traces of separate self , have dropped away. Even
the thought,"I am enlightened," or "I am the embodiment of Buddha nature," can no longer occur. You're at the
same time completely ordinary and completely free of any attachment or identification.
(9). Returning to the source : After you've merged with the source, you see everything in all its diversity (painful,
and pleasurable, beautiful and ugly) as the perfect expression of this source. You don't need to resist or
change anything. Your completely with the suchness of life.
(10). Entering the world with helping hands. With no trace of a separate self to be enlightened or deluded,
the distinction between the two dissolves in spontaneous, compassionate activity. Now you move freely through
the world like water through water, without the slightest resistance, helping where appropriate and naturally
kindling awakening in others.

(1). TEMPLE O
F THE SACRED TOOTH : (Kandy, Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
A tooth said to belong to Shakyamuni Buddha is enshrined here. In the full moon of August every
year, a magnificent festival is held-complete with elephants-in its honor.
(2). Shwedagon Pagoda : (Rangoon, Myanmar (Burma).
This world famous golden monument, housing eight of Buddha's hairs, rises over 320 feet and is
the most venerated of all Burmese Buddhist shrines.
(3). Mt. Kailash (Tibet).
Thus remote, pyramid shaped sow mountain is reputed to be the focal point of profound spiritual
energies and the home of both Hindu and Buddhist deities. Those hardy enough to complete
the circuit around this sacred mountain report this pilgrimage to be a high point of their lives.
(4). Borobudur (Java, Indonesia).
This enormous structure of many terraces, built in the shape of a sacred mandela (circular diagram
symbolizing the inner and outer universe), is filled with hundreds of Buddha statues and stupas.
Carved along its walls are exquisitely rendered scenes depicting the spiritual journey. These are
arranged in such a way that as you make your way around and up the various terraces, you are
presented with increasingly elevated states of enlightened experience.
(5). The 88 Sacred Places (Shikoku, Japan).
The great Japanese Buddhist master Kukai (774-835 CE), established a pilgrimage route around
the beautiful and mountainous island of Shikoku. People of all ages and nationalities come to
complete all or part of the circuit.

lightsun wrote:

(1). TEMPLE O
F THE SACRED TOOTH : (Kandy, Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
A tooth said to belong to Shakyamuni Buddha is enshrined here. In the full moon of August every
year, a magnificent festival is held-complete with elephants-in its honor.

(2). Shwedagon Pagoda : (Rangoon, Myanmar (Burma).
This world famous golden monument, housing eight of Buddha's hairs, rises over 320 feet and is
the most venerated of all Burmese Buddhist shrines.

(3). Mt. Kailash (Tibet).
Thus remote, pyramid shaped sow mountain is reputed to be the focal point of profound spiritual
energies and the home of both Hindu and Buddhist deities. Those hardy enough to complete
the circuit around this sacred mountain report this pilgrimage to be a high point of their lives.

(4). Borobudur (Java, Indonesia).
This enormous structure of many terraces, built in the shape of a sacred mandela (circular diagram
symbolizing the inner and outer universe), is filled with hundreds of Buddha statues and stupas.
Carved along its walls are exquisitely rendered scenes depicting the spiritual journey. These are
arranged in such a way that as you make your way around and up the various terraces, you are
presented with increasingly elevated states of enlightened experience.

(5). The 88 Sacred Places (Shikoku, Japan).
The great Japanese Buddhist master Kukai (774-835 CE), established a pilgrimage route around
the beautiful and mountainous island of Shikoku. People of all ages and nationalities come to
complete all or part of the circuit.

letting go.. becoming the lover ?

Beautiful, thanks for sharing lavender. As I said, you are the one to inspire me in saving images.
I've saved some of your shared pictures. I've saved your avatar picture from dissident philosophy.
I also saved some of May's pictures from the cultural museum. Thank you for continuing to share
such visions of loveliness, which are a reflection of your beautiful soul. LightSun

Within our Essence of Mind the Trikaya (Three Bodies) of Buddha are to be found, and they are
common to everybody. Because the mind labors under delusions, he knows not his inner nature ;
and the result is that he ignores the Trikaya within himself, erroneously believing that they are
to be sought from without. Within yourself you will find the Trikaya which, being the manifestation
of the Essence of Mind, are not to be sought from without.
Buddhism. Sutra of Hui Neng 6

They say that we live in a world of illusions as well as delusions. I think it is a mixture. Half the
Real world is within. As well as half of the Real being external. To move along our path we must
learn to walk the middle path. The road called the shining one & that is balance. It is true we live
in a world of partial illusions. The answers lie within. Seek and ye shall understand. Look inward
for the truth and you shall find it. All of these are partial truths. There are real truths in the external
world as well.
We need the basic items to find basic comfort and security as well as a modicum
of happiness. But to search the external world exclusively for happiness is a fool's dream. You
will die searching because you never discovered yourself. That is the inner road.
The path of self
discovery and finding out what you truly wish for, and that is to be complete. There are many roads
to achieve this. No one person can tell another person how to live. That must come from inside.
Learn to trust yourself. Learn to heed that inner voice as long as it is founded on virtue and not
lies and self deception. How does one divine the truth? Do not hurt. Do not kill. Do not hurt another.

Nothing can ever destroy the Buddha nature. The nature of self is nothing but the
undisclosed storehouse of the Tathagata. Such a storehouse can never be broken,
put to fire, or plundered. Though it is not possible to destroy or see it, one can know
it when one attains the unsurpassed enlightenment.
Buddhism. Mahaparinirvana Sutra 220

lightsun, if "westerners" with no time to study, let alone get to a real understanding of these words (in translation), should help themselves to return to life eternal, may i contribute here whatever my understanding right now would move me to add:

it was pythagoras, who got famous for discovering three types of music: the music of world, that of our "bodies", and that of the spheres.... (i will provide the relevant link later).

before we got to give primacy to seeing with our eyes, we had two ears form our heart. it is known that the ear is the first organ to form of any body.

i believe all great masters from time immemorial have served as transponders (and later as composers) of the music of the spheres in order to hold house, planet and universe together. (i am reminded even of james hilton's "lost horizon".)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcka0wrn1ok&feature=PlayList&p=FAAB2EC6E670799D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=87

thanks for your inspiring me today!

In the world, inclusive of its gods, substance is seen in what is insubstantial. They are tied to their
psychophysical beings and so they think that there is some substance, some reality in them.
But whatever be the phenomenon through which they think of seeking their self-identity, it turns
out to be transitory. It becomes false, for what lasts for a moment is deceptive.
The state that is not deceptive is Nibbana: that is what the men of worth know as being real.
With this insight into reality their hunger ends : cessation, total calm.
Buddhism. Sutta Nipata 756-58

lavender you are humbly very welcome. Because I have been up all night, I have not yet had time
to sleep. So I will have to be awake to fully process the wisdom you have shared. But lavender,
It resonates. I could get poetic and say it resonates with my heart and soul. Truth recognizes
truth. You always inspire me lavender orchid. I mean this sincerely here and the pm's I have
sent you. I thank you for your wisdom. I am happy that you are on this site. Let me get a little
sleep. And I will perhaps respond more deeply. I am appreciative that we share some wisdom
from different sources such as Native American & Eastern thought. I find you wise.

The great Compassionate Heart is the essence of Buddhahood.
Buddhism. Gandavyuha Sutra

This is Peace, this is the excellent, namely the calm of all the impulses, the casting out of all "basis,"
the extinction of craving, dispassion, stopping, Nirvana.
Buddhism. Anguttara Nikaya v.322

The dwelling of the Tathagata is the great compassionate heart within all the living. The Robe of
the Tathagata is the gentle and forbearing heart. The seat of the Tathagata is the "spirituality of
all existence."
Buddhism. Lotus Sutra 10

O good man! One who acts good is the "true thinking." The true thinking is compassion.
Compassion is the Tathagata. O good man! Compassion is the bodhi path ; The
bodhi path is the Tathagata. The Tathagata is compassion. O good man! Compassion
is Great Brahma. Great Brahma is compassion. Compassion is the Tathagata. O
good man! Compassion acts as parent to all beings. The parent is compassion. Know
that compassion is the Tathagata. O good man! Compassion is the Buddha nature
of all beings. Such a Buddha nature is long overshadowed by illusion. That is why
beings can not see. The Buddha nature is Compassion. Compassion is the Tathagata.
Buddhism. Mahaparinirvana Sutra 259

ah, aren't people hiding from compassion
beyond the recognition of their own need for it?

rather becoming mirrors of illusionss
held against each other ....

and no self-pity
where would we start then

isn't compassion first an emotion
so why put it so viciously
under (exclusive) "discipline"?

Because perfect wisdom tames and transforms him, wrath and conceit he does
not increase. Neither enmity nor ill-will take hold of him, nor is there even a
tendency towards them. He will be mindful and friendly ...It is wonderful how this
perfection of wisdom has been set up for the control and training of the Bodhisattvas.
Buddhism. Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines 3.51--54